ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, September 3, 2010
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Model for implantable artificial kidney to replace dialysis unveiled (September 3, 2010) -- Researchers have unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney, in a development that one day could eliminate the need for dialysis. ... > full story
New type of anti-malarial compound discovered (September 3, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a promising new drug candidate that represents a new class of drug to treat malaria. Clinical trials for the compound are planned for later this year. ... > full story
Long term use of oral bisphosphonates may double risk of esophageal cancer, study finds (September 3, 2010) -- People who take oral bisphosphonates for bone disease over five years may be doubling their risk of developing esophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet), according to a new study. ... > full story
Scientists develop new method to identify glycosylated proteins (September 3, 2010) -- Various processes in our body are controlled by subsequent changes of proteins. Therefore, the identification of such modifications is essential for the further exploration of the human organism. Now, scientists in Germany have made a crucial contribution to this: Using a new method, they have been able to identify more than 6,000 glycosylated protein sites in different tissues and have thus established an important basis for the better understanding of all life processes. ... > full story
Head start for migraine sufferers (September 3, 2010) -- Psychological migraine treatment gives sufferers a confidence boost in their ability to self-manage their symptoms. For severe migraine sufferers, psychological treatments build on the benefits of drug therapy, according to a new study. A comparison of the effects of various treatment combinations for severe migraine - drug therapy with or without behavioral management - shows that those patients receiving the behavioral management program alongside drug therapy are significantly more confident in their ability to use behavioral skills to effectively self-manage migraines. ... > full story
Gene doping detectable with a simple blood test (September 3, 2010) -- German scientists have developed a blood test that can reliably detect gene doping even after 56 days. It was previously impossible to prove that an athlete had undergone gene doping. ... > full story
Drugs used to treat osteoporosis not linked with higher risk of esophageal cancer (September 3, 2010) -- Although some reports have suggested a link between the use of oral bisphosphonates (drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass) and esophageal cancer, analysis of medical data from more than 80,000 patients in the United Kingdom found that use of these drugs was not significantly associated with new cases of esophageal or gastric cancer, according to a new study. ... > full story
Antibacterial peptide could aid in treating soldiers' burn wound infections (September 2, 2010) -- An antibacterial peptide looks to be a highly effective therapy against infections in burn or blast wounds suffered by soldiers. ... > full story
Microsoft Excel-based algorithm predicts cancer prognosis (September 2, 2010) -- Using readily available computer programs, researchers have developed a system to identify genes that will be useful in the classification of breast cancer. The algorithm will enable researchers to quickly generate valuable gene signatures without specialized software or extensive bioinformatics training. ... > full story
New app shows 2-D structure of thousands of RNA molecules (September 2, 2010) -- For the first time, it's possible to experimentally capture a global snapshot of the conformation of thousands of RNA molecules in a cell. The finding is important because this scrappy little sister of DNA has recently been shown to be much more complex than previously thought. ... > full story
Link between everyday stress and obesity strenthened with study using an animal model (September 2, 2010) -- A new study examined the effects of stress on the meal patterns and food intake of animals exposed to the equivalent of everyday stress on humans. The results suggest that, not only does stress have an impact on us in the short term, it can cause metabolic changes in the longer term that contribute to obesity. ... > full story
Protecting the lungs against 'collateral damage' from the immune system (September 2, 2010) -- A new study shows how our bodies try to minimize potential 'collateral damage' caused by our immune system when fighting infection. The research may also provide new clues to why cigarette smoke is a significant risk factor for developing diseases of the lung such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. ... > full story
Scientists unwrap DNA packaging to gain insight into cells (September 2, 2010) -- Scientists have built a clearer picture of how lengthy strands of DNA are concertinaed when our cells grow and divide, in a discovery could help explain how cell renewal can go wrong. ... > full story
Insight offered into superstitious behavior (September 2, 2010) -- People who believe that fate and chance control their lives are more likely to be superstitious -- but when faced with death they are likely to abandon superstition altogether, according to new research. ... > full story
Ancient brew masters tapped antibiotic secrets (September 2, 2010) -- A chemical analysis of the bones of ancient Nubians shows that they were regularly consuming tetracycline, most likely in their beer. The finding is the strongest evidence yet that the art of making antibiotics, which officially dates to the discovery of penicillin in 1928, was common practice nearly 2,000 years ago. The study finds that it's likely this prehistoric population was using empirical evidence to develop therapeutic agents. ... > full story
New evidence that fat cells are not just dormant storage depots for calories (September 2, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting new evidence that the fat tissue in those lower belly pooches -- far from being a dormant storage depot for surplus calories -- is an active organ that sends chemical signals to other parts of the body, perhaps increasing the risk of heart attacks, cancer, and other diseases. They are reporting discovery of 20 new hormones and other substances not previously known to be secreted into the blood by human fat cells and verification that fat secretes dozens of hormones and other chemical messengers. ... > full story
Success stops drug trial: Apixaban prevents stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for warfarin (September 2, 2010) -- The data monitoring committee of the AVERROES study, seeing overwhelming evidence of the success of apixaban in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are unsuitable for the conventional treatment of warfarin, has recommended early termination of this study. The decision came after repeated review and careful consideration of all efficacy and safety data. ... > full story
Risk of marijuana's 'gateway effect' overblown, new research shows (September 2, 2010) -- New research shows that the "gateway effect" of marijuana -- that teenagers who use marijuana are more likely to move on to harder illicit drugs as young adults -- may be overblown. ... > full story
New infrared light may open new frontier in fighting cancer, Tay Sachs (September 2, 2010) -- A "game-changing" technique using near infrared light enables scientists to look deeper into the guts of cells, potentially opening up a new frontier in the fights against cancer and many other diseases. ... > full story
Combining resistance and endurance training best for heart health, triathlon study finds (September 2, 2010) -- A study of triathletes reveals that the heart adapts to triathlon training by working more efficiently. ... > full story
'Smart materials' process promises to revolutionize manufacturing of medical devices, other products (September 2, 2010) -- A new "smart materials" process -- Multiple Memory Material Technology -- promises to revolutionize the manufacture of diverse products such as medical devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), printers, hard drives, automotive components, valves and actuators. The breakthrough technology will provide engineers with much more freedom and creativity by enabling far greater functionality to be incorporated into medical devices such as stents, braces and hearing aids than is currently possible. ... > full story
Shorter sleep durations linked to greater risks of mental distress in young adults (September 2, 2010) -- Results of a new study show a linear association between sleep durations of less than eight hours and psychological distress in young adults between 17 and 24 years of age. The risk of psychological distress increased by 14 percent for each hour of nightly sleep loss. Those sleeping less than six hours a night were twice as likely to be experiencing distress as average sleepers. Long sleep durations of more than nine hours showed no association with distress. ... > full story
Scientists identify protein that spurs formation of Alzheimer's plaques (September 2, 2010) -- In Alzheimer's disease, the problem is beta-amyloid, a protein that accumulates in the brain and causes nerve cells to weaken and die. Drugs designed to eliminate plaques made of beta-amyloid have a fatal problem: they need to enter the brain and remove the plaques without attacking healthy brain cells. New research, however, suggests that treatments modeled on the blockbuster cancer drug Gleevec could be the solution. ... > full story
'You kick like a girl': Men and women use different leg and hip muscles during soccer kick (September 2, 2010) -- Significant differences in knee alignment and muscle activation exist between men and women while kicking a soccer ball, according to a new study. Data reveal that males activate certain hip and leg muscles more than females during the motion of the instep and side-foot kicks -- the most common soccer kicks -- which may help explain why female players are more than twice as likely as males to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament injury. ... > full story
Too much aluminum in infant formulas, UK researchers find (September 2, 2010) -- The aluminum content of a range of the most popular brands of infant formulas remains high, researchers in the UK have found. ... > full story
Sensitivity to alcohol odors may indicate a genetic predisposition to alcohol dependence (September 2, 2010) -- Prior research had found an association between DNA sequence variations in a gene that encodes parts of the brain's gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-A receptors (the GABRA2 gene) and alcohol dependence. New research has found that the GABRA2 genotype can also affect the brain's reward responses to cues such as alcohol odors. ... > full story
Biochemical pathway may link addiction, compulsive eating (September 2, 2010) -- Ezlopitant, a compound known to suppress craving for alcohol in humans, was shown to decrease consumption of sweetened water by rodents in a new study. ... > full story
New TB diagnostic proves effective, expedient, study finds (September 2, 2010) -- A molecular test designed to easily diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and detect a drug-resistant form of the bacterium that causes TB can provide much more specific, sensitive and rapid results than currently available TB diagnostics, according to a new study. ... > full story
Text messages reveal the emotional timeline of September 11, 2001 (September 2, 2010) -- The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have been called the defining moment of our time. Thousands of people died and the attacks had huge individual and collective consequences. But less is known about the immediate emotional reactions to the attacks. For a new study, researchers analyzed text messages sent on September 11, 2001 for emotional words. They found spiking anxiety and steadily increasing anger through that fateful day. ... > full story
Stopping smoking cessation treatments too soon may reduce odds of success for 45 percent of smokers (September 2, 2010) -- A new study may change the way clinicians make treatment decisions for their patients who smoke. The findings suggest that current treatment theories that maintain any smoking after the planned target quit day predicts treatment failure need to be expanded to take into account a more dynamic quitting process. The research points to two types of successful quitters: those who quit immediately and remain abstinent through the end of treatment and those who are "delayed" in attaining abstinence but achieve success by the end of treatment. ... > full story
Live imaging puts new light on stem cell division (September 2, 2010) -- A long-held assumption about asymmetrical division of stem cells has cracked. Researchers report that the mitotic spindle does not act alone -- that cortical proteins help to position a cleavage furrow in the right location. ... > full story
Lower blood pressure may preserve kidney function in some patients (September 2, 2010) -- Intensively treating hypertension in some African Americans with kidney disease by pushing blood pressure well below the current recommended goal may significantly decrease the number who lose kidney function and require dialysis, suggests a new study. ... > full story
Finding variants in the human genome: HapMap 3 points the way forward for human genetics studies (September 2, 2010) -- The results of the third phase of the HapMap study, which looks at genetic variation in multiple populations, have just been published. Researchers looked at 1184 samples from 11 populations to identify variants in the human genome. The team looked at the distribution and frequency of variants across different populations and suggest that variants in some genes, including genes involved in the immune system, wound healing and sense of smell, are under selection in different populations. ... > full story
Personalized medicine: Molecular imaging predicts treatment success in many cancers (September 2, 2010) -- New studies show that molecular imaging plays a critical role in the evaluation and treatment planning for a broad spectrum of cancers, including thyroid cancer and lymphoma. ... > full story
Increased risk of death in men with insomnia and a short sleep duration (September 2, 2010) -- Men with chronic insomnia who slept for less than six hours were four times more likely to die during the 14-year follow-up period, according to a new study. Results were adjusted for potential confounders such as body mass index, smoking status, depression and obstructive sleep apnea. Further adjustments for hypertension and diabetes had little effect on the elevated mortality risk. No significant mortality risk was found in women with insomnia and a short sleep duration of less than six hours. ... > full story
Violence in inner city neighborhoods contributes to trouble with asthma, study finds (September 2, 2010) -- Patients with asthma who are exposed to violence in their community are at an increased risk for an asthma-related hospitalization and emergency room visits for asthma or any cause, according to new research. ... > full story
Biomedical research policy needed for therapies, economic growth, education and security (September 2, 2010) -- Bold and coordinated leadership at the federal level is essential to create secure, long-term, sustainable biomedical research funding policies based on strategic priorities, say the authors of a commentary about America's fledgling biomedical research framework. ... > full story
Adding value to data: BioMed Central calls for greater researcher sharing (September 2, 2010) -- BMC Research Notes has now shed further light on science's "dark data". The journal is commissioning a large, ongoing collection of educational articles which outline procedures for sharing data that enable the data to be readily re-used by others, which will provide researchers with best practice guidance for exposing their dark data to the light. ... > full story
Medicinal cannabis review highlights dilemmas facing healthcare professionals (September 2, 2010) -- Health professionals have a responsibility to respect and support patients who use cannabis for medicinal purposes, but must stay within the law and follow professional guidance at all times. UK researchers studied more than 50 published papers, together with professional and Government guidance documents, official reports and media coverage, from 1996 to 2009. Their findings highlight the legal, ethical and medical dilemmas faced by the healthcare profession when patients use cannabis for medical reasons. ... > full story
New guidelines to ease sleepless nights (September 2, 2010) -- Insomnia and other sleep disorders are very common, yet are not generally well understood by doctors and other health care professionals. Now the British Association for Psychopharmacology has released up-to-the-minute guidelines in the Journal of Psychopharmacology to guide psychiatrists and physicians caring for those with sleep problems. ... > full story
'Charitable' behavior found in bacteria (September 1, 2010) -- Researchers have discover "charitable" behavior in bacteria populations, where individuals with the highest antibiotic resistance sacrifice so the whole population can better fight off medication. ... > full story
Brain exercises may slow cognitive decline initially, but speed up dementia later (September 1, 2010) -- New research shows that mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, reading and listening to the radio may, at first, slow the decline of thinking skills but speed up dementia later in old age. ... > full story
Protecting nerve cells from death in a model of stroke (September 1, 2010) -- Researchers in China have now identified a way to preserve nerve cells in a rat model of stroke. ... > full story
Airline passengers in developing countries face 13 times crash risk as US (September 1, 2010) -- Passengers who fly in Developing World countries face 13 times the risk of being killed in an air accident as passengers in the First World. The more economically advanced countries in the Developing World have better overall safety records than the others, but even their death risk per flight is seven times as high as that in First World countries. ... > full story
Capacity for exercise can be inherited: Finding suggests pharmaceutical drugs can be used to alter activity levels in humans (September 1, 2010) -- Biologists have found that voluntary activity, such as daily exercise, is a highly heritable trait that can be passed down genetically to successive generations. Working on mice in the lab, they found that activity level can be enhanced with selective breeding. Their experiments showed that mice that were bred to be high runners produced high-running offspring, indicating that the offspring had inherited the trait for activity. ... > full story
Infant's gaze may be an early, but subtle, marker for autism risk (September 1, 2010) -- New study results show that an early marker for later communication and social delays in infants at a higher-risk for autism may be infrequent gazing at other people when unprompted. The study also found that six-month-old high-risk infants demonstrated the same level of cause and effect learning skills when compared to low-risk infants of the same age. ... > full story
Revaccination could benefit HIV-infected children, review suggests (September 1, 2010) -- Researchers reviewed published data to assess HIV-infected children's immune responses to vaccines and found that most children treated with HAART remained susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, but responded well to revaccination. ... > full story
Mindfulness meditation increases well-being in adolescent boys, study finds (September 1, 2010) -- "Mindfulness," the process of learning to become more aware of our ongoing experiences, increases well-being in adolescent boys, a new study reports. ... > full story
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